OfficeMax to Also Carry the BlackBerry PlayBook

I am not sure why OfficeMax was left of RIM’s previously announced list of retailers expected to carry the BlackBerry PlayBook. They have just confirmed through their own press release that they will have the device. Nothing groundbreaking I know but still nice to know we have another option. On the other hand I am hoping Amazon will also issue a press release…

New Tablet with Wi-Fi Available In Stores and Online on April 19, 2011 —

NAPERVILLE, Ill., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — OfficeMax® Incorporated (NYSE: OMX), a leader in office supplies and services, today announced it will offer the new BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet in all of its 1,000 retail locations nationwide and through www.officemax.com. The new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will be available for purchase on April 19, 2011. The BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi® will be available in three models, costing $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB) and $699 (64GB).

"We are excited to expand our tablet computer selection by adding the much-anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook to the mix," said Ryan Vero, EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer for OfficeMax. "The BlackBerry brand is synonymous with ingenuity and world-class innovation and the BlackBerry PlayBook is no exception. The new BlackBerry tablet is being lauded by critics for its ultra-portable design, enterprise friendly set-up, and uncompromised Web experience. We believe customers who are in the market for a tablet computer will be happy to know that they can test drive and buy a new BlackBerry PlayBook at any OfficeMax retail location."

Positioned as the world’s first professional-grade tablet, BlackBerry PlayBook features an ultra-portable design and delivers industry leading performance, uncompromised web browsing with support for Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1, true multitasking, HD multimedia, advanced security features, out-of-the-box enterprise support and a robust development environment.

BlackBerry PlayBook specifications:

7" 1024×600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen

Ultra-portable at less than a pound and less than one-half inch thick: 0.9 lbs (425g) and 5.1" x 7.6" x 0.4" (130mm x 194mm x 10mm)

Yes, I agree. More retailers the better. As for Office Depot, not big news and really doesn’t matter to me except that it makes Amazon’s absence even more shocking. Last I heard Office Depot is closing stores and having a hard time keeping up with Staples but one of the leading, if not the #1 online retailer, Amazon, is on the sideline. I would be shocked if that remains the case forever.

As I think about it Amazon’s absence isn’t really shocking. They just made a HUGE move this past week with their Appstore for Android. If PlayBook ends up being even a mild success at launch I have no doubt it will get into their inventory real quick though.